GM Plans $600M Upgrade At Kansas City Plant

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) -- General Motors is investing in a $600 million upgrade at its assembly plant in Kansas City, Kan.

The automaker said Monday it will start construction this year on a 450,000-square-foot paint shop, a new stamping press and other improvements at the Fairfax Assembly Plant.

GM CEO Dan Akerson says the investment is a "vote of confidence" in the Fairfax plant, where the company has produced more than 12 million vehicles since 1945. GM announced earlier this month it planned to invest $1.5 billion in its North American facilities in 2013.

Some 3,900 employees work at the Fairfax plant, where the company produces the Buick LaCrosse and Chevrolet Malibu.